[It's the little smiles that Clive cherishes the most, he realizes. The ones where the corners of his eyes crinkle even if the quirk of his lips is small, the soft ones without bravado. Those ones feel somehow more special, like they are little private things only for him. Clive finds himself wanting to reach out and touch the corner of one of those smiles, but resists the temptation.]
Funny story, there is an actual prince who lives here. Well, I guess technically there are two, but one of them is from the world where this place is from.
[Clive shifts so he can see Verso out of the corner of his eye. That shirt, between the almost sheer nature and how low the opening was, had been admittedly a bit of a temptation. Clive blinks the thought away and focuses on removing his simple riding boots, trousers, and underwear.
Clive was used to nudity. It came with the territory of spending so long in the military and then living somewhere with shared baths, and yet somehow he still felt a little shy.]
Yuri is a fan of little luxuries, too. And probably has some of the softest skin I have ever seen.
[Clive chuckles at Verso's little joke.]
In a sense. I'll show you a little trick.
[Clive climbs into the bath and tilts his head to look back at Verso, arm resting against the edge of the tub. He beckons him with a wave of his hand.
What Verso can't see is Clive channeling aether to his skin, using Ifrit's flame to heat his skin enough to pass that heat into the water. Usually, he would just do it with his hand, but this would be faster and also maybe a little showier.]
Give me your hand.
[If Verso agrees, he will feel a heat that would be the equivalent to a merrily crackling fire, hot but not burning. Clive watches Verso's face intently the whole time.]
A prince, huh? Is that Yuri? [ He flicks his finger toward the special soaps that are set aside. ] But still... don't you mean three princes? [ He inclines his head towards him. ] I'd consider you to be quite princely. At least how it is written in stories.
[ It's casual teasing, but also wanting to give some compliments to Clive. He thinks the man could use a few more; feel like all that he's doing is being rewarded in some small bit of praise. And he does certainly mean what he says, as well. ]
Seen? Not touched?
[ Another chuckle slips out.
But he soon goes quiet as he watches Clive climb into the waters. He comes closer as he's beckoned. Kneeling down, he watches carefully -- his eyes drift over the skin as Clive channels his magic. It stops at certain spots (curve of his chest, his abs, sliding slowly down his arms) before drifting back up to his face.
Verso blinks slowly before reaching out with his hand. He feels the heat against his palm; his eyes widening slightly. However, his expression softens as he gives him a broad, pleased smile. ]
You really are full of surprises, aren't you? [ With his free hand, he traces around Clive's knuckles and fingers. ] First, wings and now this. I really do look forward to seeing more.
Actually, no. It's Dimitri. He's very polite, but far less particular.
[Clive chuckles.]
I don't think I would make a very good prince. I'm too much of a contrarian. But - [Clive nods his head regally, a half of a clearly ingrained bow.] I was the son of an Archduke so I do know some courtly manners.
[It's nice, being seen as something so chivalrous as a prince in a story rather than someone who was working on tearing down the very way his world worked to start something new. But he could still appreciate the compliment.]
Not touched. He is beautiful, though. I think you would find him interesting.
[Clive would also like to see Yuri pick him apart. It was nearly impossible to keep a secret from that man.
Verso had such a nice chuckle. Clive wonders what his true laugh sounded like, the laugh that came from surprise and joy, uncontrolled and free. Would he ever get to hear that sound? He hoped so, one day.
Clive can't help but watch Verso as he walks towards him. He has had the man's naked body pressed against him before, but this was different. He fought the urge to trail his eyes down the other man's body, instead opting to watch his face. He stayed still, but his eyes followed every one of Verso's movements.
Which also meant he watches as Verso's gaze pauses at very specific spots on his body. His heart thumps and he feels something warm start to pool inside of him.
Thankfully, he breathes through it with Verso's shift in demeanor. He lets his eyes flutter closed, enjoying the feeling of Verso's fingers against his skin. He keeps his eyes closed when he speaks, voice relaxed and soft.]
There are a lot of things that I am very capable of doing.
[He opens his eyes again to look into Verso's beautiful bright ones.]
[ He can't help but smile at that description and playfully wonders if he should feel bad for Yuri. ]
Oh, very nice. [ Lightly clapping his hands, he applauds the bow that he's given. However, his eyebrows briefly furrow. The son of an Archduke yet lived years as a slave? He let out a small hm as that does not speak well of what happened to the dukedom. ]
But perhaps, I should try to meet some of your roommates. [ A little laugh. ] I won't ask anymore about them -- as I said regarding your brother, knowing too much about someone before you meet them can add unneeded pressure. [ And there is always something a little fun in coming to know someone on his own.
With that out of the way, he appreciates how the skin feels under his touch. He notes how Clive closes his eyes and wonders if it is actually enjoyable to have him touched while his body is shifted in such a way. ]
Perhaps you will.
[ Another smile. ]
But first -- I promised to repay what you've done for me. [ He keeps his one hand on him but reaches out with his other to lightly tap it against Clive's cheek. ] A nice bath where you get to just enjoy yourself and be pampered.
Why thank you. [Clive chuckles.] My mother would likely be appalled at my form, but well. She was a difficult woman to impress.
[It was odd, talking about his mother like that. As if they had much of a relationship. He tried not to let his complicated feelings for the woman show on his face, but that was always difficult. Anger, sorrow, confusion, love. If only they had a chance to know each other, maybe then she would have understood.
Too late now. He shakes himself out of these thoughts. He wants to be here, present, with Verso. Only Verso.]
Alex and I were talking about having a bit of a get together once the mission is over. Obviously, you're invited. I'll give you more details when we get closer to the date. Once we decide one.
[Clive opens his eyes again to watch Verso and laughs a little, affection writ clearly on his face. There is a hint of something else in his eyes, something much closer to desire.]
I certainly hope so.
[Clive is grateful for the continued contact. It was something he particularly enjoyed with Verso. They weren't afraid to touch each other. It was the easiest way for Clive to express his affection. Words often seemed inadequate. He almost turns to catch Verso's finger and press a kiss to it, but no. He had to maintain some semblance of self-control here.]
Mothers can always be a little difficult to please.
[ Verso does note the troubled look that Clive makes in mentioning his mother. He isn't certain what sort of relationship that he has, but can tell that it is complicated. His eyes close briefly. Family is ... complicated. A statement that keeps coming up.
He opens his eyes and it acts almost like a reset for the two of them. Like they are joking about something light and breezy. ]
Ah, I didn't know that you knew her. [ He tilts his head slightly. ] It sounds like fun. Of course, I'd love to be part of it. [ A brief glance around where they are. ] Will it be here? Or what are you two plotting?
[ Verso feels like he can use the phrase "plotting" more when it comes to Alex than Clive, however. His shoulders briefly shake in amusement. ]
See? You are a proper noble.
[ A warm reply to the kiss against his hand as he does as offered -- he slips into the warm waters. Letting out a soft sound, he chuckles a little after: ]
The people living here are lucky to have you. [ It is what he says to start before he pauses to glance at the soaps and shampoo. ] Shampoo first, eh? [ He reaches for that bottle before continuing: ] Warming up water is a godsend. Especially when you've lived out in the wilderness as I have.
[ Verso wonders if Clive is having enough conversations where he feels normal, at ease. He likes the idea of being kind to him, of allowing him something that is like peace. ]
[Clive nods in agreement, though he hasn’t really talked to anyone else about what their mothers expected of them. The only person who had talked about their family that he could think of was Gav and he loved his mother.]
We met at the Golden Saucer. She is pretty great, isn’t she? [He nods, smiling at the word ‘plotting’.] The fish population in the pond here is getting a little out of control so we thought it might be fun to have some people over to fish and cook, play some lawn games. It would be a good chance to do something fun after what will probably be a pretty stressful month.
[Clive chuckles.] Old habits die hard and all that.
Oh, they’d be fine without me. My brother lives here, too. He can do the same. I enjoy helping out, though. I do enjoy having the luxury of hot water, though. I spend most of my time on the road or in the wilderness myself, although I do have a home base.
[Clive nods.]
Shampooing first sounds nice. Where would you like me?
[Talking to Verso is always nice, even when they end up talking about things that might hurt. The comfort the man gives is reassuring and warm. Clive only hopes that maybe one day Verso will let him do the same.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
I forgot to say what Clive was wearing too oops lol
Date: 2025-07-19 02:23 am (UTC)Different worlds.
[It's the little smiles that Clive cherishes the most, he realizes. The ones where the corners of his eyes crinkle even if the quirk of his lips is small, the soft ones without bravado. Those ones feel somehow more special, like they are little private things only for him. Clive finds himself wanting to reach out and touch the corner of one of those smiles, but resists the temptation.]
Funny story, there is an actual prince who lives here. Well, I guess technically there are two, but one of them is from the world where this place is from.
[Clive shifts so he can see Verso out of the corner of his eye. That shirt, between the almost sheer nature and how low the opening was, had been admittedly a bit of a temptation. Clive blinks the thought away and focuses on removing his simple riding boots, trousers, and underwear.
Clive was used to nudity. It came with the territory of spending so long in the military and then living somewhere with shared baths, and yet somehow he still felt a little shy.]
Yuri is a fan of little luxuries, too. And probably has some of the softest skin I have ever seen.
[Clive chuckles at Verso's little joke.]
In a sense. I'll show you a little trick.
[Clive climbs into the bath and tilts his head to look back at Verso, arm resting against the edge of the tub. He beckons him with a wave of his hand.
What Verso can't see is Clive channeling aether to his skin, using Ifrit's flame to heat his skin enough to pass that heat into the water. Usually, he would just do it with his hand, but this would be faster and also maybe a little showier.]
Give me your hand.
[If Verso agrees, he will feel a heat that would be the equivalent to a merrily crackling fire, hot but not burning. Clive watches Verso's face intently the whole time.]
hahahah well clothes don't matter anymore anyway
Date: 2025-07-21 12:18 am (UTC)[ It's casual teasing, but also wanting to give some compliments to Clive. He thinks the man could use a few more; feel like all that he's doing is being rewarded in some small bit of praise. And he does certainly mean what he says, as well. ]
Seen? Not touched?
[ Another chuckle slips out.
But he soon goes quiet as he watches Clive climb into the waters. He comes closer as he's beckoned. Kneeling down, he watches carefully -- his eyes drift over the skin as Clive channels his magic. It stops at certain spots (curve of his chest, his abs, sliding slowly down his arms) before drifting back up to his face.
Verso blinks slowly before reaching out with his hand. He feels the heat against his palm; his eyes widening slightly. However, his expression softens as he gives him a broad, pleased smile. ]
You really are full of surprises, aren't you? [ With his free hand, he traces around Clive's knuckles and fingers. ] First, wings and now this. I really do look forward to seeing more.
no subject
Date: 2025-07-21 04:57 pm (UTC)[Clive chuckles.]
I don't think I would make a very good prince. I'm too much of a contrarian. But - [Clive nods his head regally, a half of a clearly ingrained bow.] I was the son of an Archduke so I do know some courtly manners.
[It's nice, being seen as something so chivalrous as a prince in a story rather than someone who was working on tearing down the very way his world worked to start something new. But he could still appreciate the compliment.]
Not touched. He is beautiful, though. I think you would find him interesting.
[Clive would also like to see Yuri pick him apart. It was nearly impossible to keep a secret from that man.
Verso had such a nice chuckle. Clive wonders what his true laugh sounded like, the laugh that came from surprise and joy, uncontrolled and free. Would he ever get to hear that sound? He hoped so, one day.
Clive can't help but watch Verso as he walks towards him. He has had the man's naked body pressed against him before, but this was different. He fought the urge to trail his eyes down the other man's body, instead opting to watch his face. He stayed still, but his eyes followed every one of Verso's movements.
Which also meant he watches as Verso's gaze pauses at very specific spots on his body. His heart thumps and he feels something warm start to pool inside of him.
Thankfully, he breathes through it with Verso's shift in demeanor. He lets his eyes flutter closed, enjoying the feeling of Verso's fingers against his skin. He keeps his eyes closed when he speaks, voice relaxed and soft.]
There are a lot of things that I am very capable of doing.
[He opens his eyes again to look into Verso's beautiful bright ones.]
Perhaps I can show you more of them.
no subject
Date: 2025-07-28 04:11 am (UTC)[ He can't help but smile at that description and playfully wonders if he should feel bad for Yuri. ]
Oh, very nice. [ Lightly clapping his hands, he applauds the bow that he's given. However, his eyebrows briefly furrow. The son of an Archduke yet lived years as a slave? He let out a small hm as that does not speak well of what happened to the dukedom. ]
But perhaps, I should try to meet some of your roommates. [ A little laugh. ] I won't ask anymore about them -- as I said regarding your brother, knowing too much about someone before you meet them can add unneeded pressure. [ And there is always something a little fun in coming to know someone on his own.
With that out of the way, he appreciates how the skin feels under his touch. He notes how Clive closes his eyes and wonders if it is actually enjoyable to have him touched while his body is shifted in such a way. ]
Perhaps you will.
[ Another smile. ]
But first -- I promised to repay what you've done for me. [ He keeps his one hand on him but reaches out with his other to lightly tap it against Clive's cheek. ] A nice bath where you get to just enjoy yourself and be pampered.
no subject
Date: 2025-07-28 12:15 pm (UTC)[It was odd, talking about his mother like that. As if they had much of a relationship. He tried not to let his complicated feelings for the woman show on his face, but that was always difficult. Anger, sorrow, confusion, love. If only they had a chance to know each other, maybe then she would have understood.
Too late now. He shakes himself out of these thoughts. He wants to be here, present, with Verso. Only Verso.]
Alex and I were talking about having a bit of a get together once the mission is over. Obviously, you're invited. I'll give you more details when we get closer to the date. Once we decide one.
[Clive opens his eyes again to watch Verso and laughs a little, affection writ clearly on his face. There is a hint of something else in his eyes, something much closer to desire.]
I certainly hope so.
[Clive is grateful for the continued contact. It was something he particularly enjoyed with Verso. They weren't afraid to touch each other. It was the easiest way for Clive to express his affection. Words often seemed inadequate. He almost turns to catch Verso's finger and press a kiss to it, but no. He had to maintain some semblance of self-control here.]
By all means.
[Clive gestures to the bath.]
Please, join me.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-03 08:12 am (UTC)[ Verso does note the troubled look that Clive makes in mentioning his mother. He isn't certain what sort of relationship that he has, but can tell that it is complicated. His eyes close briefly. Family is ... complicated. A statement that keeps coming up.
He opens his eyes and it acts almost like a reset for the two of them. Like they are joking about something light and breezy. ]
Ah, I didn't know that you knew her. [ He tilts his head slightly. ] It sounds like fun. Of course, I'd love to be part of it. [ A brief glance around where they are. ] Will it be here? Or what are you two plotting?
[ Verso feels like he can use the phrase "plotting" more when it comes to Alex than Clive, however. His shoulders briefly shake in amusement. ]
See? You are a proper noble.
[ A warm reply to the kiss against his hand as he does as offered -- he slips into the warm waters. Letting out a soft sound, he chuckles a little after: ]
The people living here are lucky to have you. [ It is what he says to start before he pauses to glance at the soaps and shampoo. ] Shampoo first, eh? [ He reaches for that bottle before continuing: ] Warming up water is a godsend. Especially when you've lived out in the wilderness as I have.
[ Verso wonders if Clive is having enough conversations where he feels normal, at ease. He likes the idea of being kind to him, of allowing him something that is like peace. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-03 01:35 pm (UTC)We met at the Golden Saucer. She is pretty great, isn’t she? [He nods, smiling at the word ‘plotting’.] The fish population in the pond here is getting a little out of control so we thought it might be fun to have some people over to fish and cook, play some lawn games. It would be a good chance to do something fun after what will probably be a pretty stressful month.
[Clive chuckles.] Old habits die hard and all that.
Oh, they’d be fine without me. My brother lives here, too. He can do the same. I enjoy helping out, though. I do enjoy having the luxury of hot water, though. I spend most of my time on the road or in the wilderness myself, although I do have a home base.
[Clive nods.]
Shampooing first sounds nice. Where would you like me?
[Talking to Verso is always nice, even when they end up talking about things that might hurt. The comfort the man gives is reassuring and warm. Clive only hopes that maybe one day Verso will let him do the same.]